Safety netting is a diagnostic management strategy that ensures patients - especially those with potential signs and symptoms of cancer are monitored throughout the diagnostic process until symptoms are explained or resolved, and all results have been acted on1.
Introduction
Safety netting is a diagnostic management strategy that ensures patients- especially those with potential signs and symptoms of cancer are monitored throughout the diagnostic process until symptoms are explained or resolved, and all results have been acted on1.
1. NICE – Recommendations on Patient Support, Safety Netting and the Diagnostic Process
The official NICE guidance of safety netting of suspected cancer referrals includes verbal and written information that should be given to patients when being referred.
Time to read: approx. 5 minutes
2. Red Whale Article – Safety Netting in Primary Care
Red Whale: Safety netting in primary care provides an overview of safety netting as a principle – when to do it (not just suspected cancer) and how to do it.
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Time to read: approx. 5 minutes
3. Cancer Research UK – Safety Netting
The CRUK: Safety netting information and resources supports safety netting in practice. It summarises key principles and how to optimise safety netting, including addressing health inequalities. It also links to electronic safety netting tool
Time to read: approx. 5 minutes, additional resources up to 30 minutes
4. Cancer Research UK – An Overview of the Safety Netting Pathway
One page PDF summary of safety netting pathway for patients presenting with suspected cancer symptoms. Can be printed as a quick reference guide.
Time to read: approx. 5 minutes
5. Cancer Research UK – A Summary of Key Safety Netting Actions
Two-page PDF summary of key points to communicate to patients, actions for primary care professionals and actions for GP practices. Includes links to additional resources.
Time to read: approx. 5 minutes
6. Cancer Research UK Safety Netting Template.
One page reference check list that enables practices to critique their safety netting processes and how the CMCA safety netting template can support practice process.
Safety Netting Toolkit Checklist
Time to reference: approx. 5 minutes
7. Cheshire and Merseyside (C&M) Cancer Alliance Safety netting Resources
The Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Academy safety netting resources includes a video from a local GP Dr Rhian Thomas talking about the importance of safety netting for suspected cancer in primary care. It also includes information about the EMIS Cheshire and Merseyside safety-netting template.
Time to read including watching video: approx. 20 minutes
8. Cheshire and Merseyside Patient Information and Supporting Letter
Locally developed letter to support written patient safety netting for patients being referred on an urgent suspected cancer (2WW) pathway. The information prepares patients for the fact they are referred to a ‘cancer’ clinic yet offers some reassurance.
Access Patient Information and Supporting Letter
Time to read: approx. 3 minutes
9. CRUK ‘Your Urgent Referral Explained’
CRUK developed this A4 double-sided handout helps patients who have been urgently referred with suspected cancer to prepare for their appointments and tests.